News
European Parliament backs 2025 as Montenegro’s possible accession date
Serbia, the region's other frontrunner in the EU accession race, is being held back by unresolved issues with Kosovo, while Montenegro was praised for making good progress.
UFG Private Equity buys Macquarie's stake in Russian Towers
Russia’s biggest private equity fund has bought a large minority stake in the telecoms tower business from its co-investor Macquarie Russia & CIS Infrastructure Fund.
IMF warns Belarus to get a 'Plan B' ready in case energy talks with Russia fail
In such an event, oil refining activity would be reduced, dampening export revenue and growth, according to the multinational lender.
Russian poultry major Damate to expand into lamb
Russian's largest producer of turkey meat Damate of Naum Babaev will expand into producing lamb meat in the Stavropol region, Vedomosti daily reported on November 28 citing the investment agreement signed with the regional authorities.
IMF sees new Ukraine programme by December 10
The board of directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are due to meet on December 10 when they are likely to sign off on a new deal for Ukraine that should clear the way for the release of another badly needed tranche.
Ruling party endorsed Zurabishvili wins Georgian presidency
Runoff prompts observers to question whether some voters were intimidated by Russia and Ukraine’s Sea of Azov clash.
Hungarian ruling party's grip on media tightens further
The right-wing media portfolio owned by businessmen close to Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party has been transferred to a foundation overseen by a loyalist of Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
UK judge refuses Turkey’s request for extradition of dispossessed media proprietor
Ruling describes application as “politically motivated”. Hamdi Akin Ipek says he has been followed in London and has had his assets illegally confiscated.
Thousands of opposition supporters stage anti-government protest in Skopje
The opposition VMRO-DPMNE party called on the government to resign and announced weekly protests ahead of a critical parliament vote on plans to change the country's name.
Iraqi central bank bans citizens from taking dollars into Iran
Baghdad must balance competing demands of Tehran and Washington when it comes to abiding by US sanctions aimed at Iran.
Russia sells €1bn bonds despite Azov crisis
Russia placed €1bn worth of seven-year bonds under close subscription yielding 3%, with foreign investors accounting for 75% of the placement.
Ukraine unit of Russia's VTB Bank goes bankrupt
The National Bank of Ukraine has declared the Ukrainian operations of Russia's state-owned VTB Bank insolvent following weeks of a snowballing liquidity crisis.
Kazakh fugitive banker Ablyazov sentenced to life for orchestrating murder
A Kazakh court sentenced Kazakh fugitive banker Mukhtar Ablyazov to life in prison in absentia on November 27 for allegedly orchestrating the murder of ex-head of BTA Bank Yerlan Tatishev.
Putin foe Browder heads to Dublin to launch Irish Magnitsky Act
Financier Bill Browder will land in Dublin this week in a bid to introduce an Irish Magnitsky Act targeting corrupt Russian officials due to the city’s dubious reputation as a shadow-banking hub.
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Pre-election stimulus fest under way in Turkey
Markets want fiscal discipline amid the country's economic turmoil but campaign pressures amid a recession could cause significant backsliding.
Martial law in Ukraine will not affect "economic operations", ministry says
The Ukrainian authorities assured local and international business that the imposition of martial law in Ukraine from November 28 does not mean limits on economic operations all over the country, however the country's transport and energy authorities
Russia's prepares first bond in euros in five years despite Azov turmoil
Russia's Finance Ministry launched a closed subscription for a euro-denominated seven-year benchmark issue of bonds, Bloomberg and Vedomosti daily reported on November 27 citing unnamed banking sources.
Ukraine imposes martial law in 10 regions for 30 days amid conflict with Russia in Azov Sea
The Verkhovna Rada greenlighted the introduction of martial law by President Petro Poroshenko following a dramatic escalation of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Kyiv's imposition of martial law will hurt Ukraine's economy
Kyiv’s decision to impose martial law for the next 30 days will hurt Ukraine’s economy by further undermining investors confidence in the future of the country.
Hungary plans to relax overtime rules to help ease labour crunch
Labour unions and opposition parties denounced the planned change to the labour code that would increase the overtime threshold from 250 hours a year to 400 hours.